Permanent makeup removal aftercare
Everything you need to care for your skin throughout your cosmetic tattoo removal journey, by expert nurses and dermatologists.
Aftercare starts straight away and is key to success. Your skin will thank you for it, and taking care of yourself can boost your permanent makeup removal results, too. It’s a win-win.
We break down the ink. Your body does the rest
All your aftercare questions answered
Laser treatment is just the beginning. The next part is down to you (and your body). Here’s how to look after yourself during your permanent makeup removal journey.
Day of treatment
After treatment
Between treatments
All we ask is that you come to your appointment makeup-free. Other than that, come as you are and we’ll take care of the rest. Your nurse will answer all your questions (without the added jargon!) and will advise a treatment plan to suit your goals and lifestyle.
Don’t worry! Eyebrow and lip areas don’t need to be shaved.
Please do not tan before an appointment - be that artificially (fake tan or sunbeds) or naturally.
Tanned skin is at increased risk of damage from treatment and we may have to postpone your appointment.
Please avoid using retinol or acids for 2-3 weeks either side of treatments.
Please wait 48 hours before applying makeup to the treated area.
We appreciate you might be keen to return to your skincare regime, but it’s time to be kind to your skin. Use a gentle cleanser until the skin is healed (up to a week after treatment) and avoid retinoids and acids for 2-3 weeks either side of your appointment.
Safe suncare is key! Keep the area covered and out of the sun for a week following treatment, and always apply high SPF and UVA 4*+ sunscreen.
If your skin is too tanned or burned, we may have to postpone your appointment.
Yes, you can take a shower after your laser removal.
Please avoid direct water pressure to the treated area and keep hot water to a minimum - no scalding showers, baths or hot tubs while your skin heals!
Please wait up to a week or until the area is healed before swimming.
We want to keep your skin cool and calm post-treatment. Please avoid humid environments - such as saunas, spas, and baths - for at least 72 hours.
We don’t recommend any high-intensity exercise for 48 hours. Take this time to relax!
Clients at NAAMA can treat their cosmetic tattoo as often as every 2-3 weeks in some cases.*
Our unique LightSense® laser uses controlled, ultra-low energy levels to effectively clear ink while remaining kind to the skin. Less time healing means less downtime between treatments, so you can come back sooner!
*Your specific amount of downtime will be assessed during your initial consultation and may change during the course of treatment. We can only treat as often as every 2-3 weeks for Fitzpatrick 1-3 skin types.
We exclusively use the LightSense® laser at NAAMA. It's tough on your cosmetic tattoos, but kind to your skin. It’s normal to experience some redness and sensitivity following your laser treatment, but this should settle within a week.
Yes! We recommend our science-backed aftercare creams designed specifically for laser removal. They're packed with plant botanicals and active ingredients to protect the skin, increase blood flow and improve healthy cell function between treatments.
Please let us know of any changes to your health before your next treatment.
Changes can be (but aren't limited to) taking new medication, becoming pregnant, lifestyle adjustments, a new condition, etc. Your health is our number one priority and we can easily adjust your protocol to ensure your treatment is as effective as possible.
Yes. Due to safety reasons, we can’t treat anyone who is pregnant and will need to pause your removal journey for the time being. We can safely restart protocol once you’re a new parent, even if you’re breastfeeding.
To see the best results, we recommend limiting alcohol consumption throughout your permanent makeup removal journey.
Drinking alcohol can impact the liver and kidneys, hindering the lymphatic system and slowing down the body’s ability to successfully clear out ink molecules.
We advise you to avoid smoking while undergoing permanent makeup removal treatment.
Smoking limits the body’s ability to absorb oxygen in the bloodstream, reducing its capability to flush out pigment and impacting your chance of seeing the best results.
In the week following your treatment, please keep the area covered and do not expose it to direct sunlight until the area is healed.
Practice sun-safe skincare by regularly applying sunscreen with high SPF and a UVA 4*+ rating. Do this between treatments and beyond - it’s a great habit to have even after your cosmetic tattoo is removed!
We will need to postpone your treatment if your skin is tanned or burned, so keep an eye on your sun exposure.
You can, but if you're traveling somewhere warm there are a few things to note.
In the week following your treatment, we recommend keeping the area covered and away from direct sunlight until the area is healed. Regularly apply sunscreen with high SPF and a UVA 4*+ rating throughout your removal journey, between your treatments and for a month after.
We are unable to treat tanned or burned skin, so please monitor your sun exposure in order to avoid postponing treatment.
Please avoid sun tanning and tanning beds up to 4-6 weeks before treatment.
We will not treat skin that’s burned, peeling, recovering from UV exposure, or inflamed from tanning of any kind. This also applies to fake tan and will result in treatment being postponed.
Permanent makeup removal side effects and what to do
Some side effects are normal. Others are not. Here’s what to expect from cosmetic tattoo removal.
It’s natural for the skin to feel a bit itchy after treatment, but avoid scratching or rubbing the treated and surrounding area.
The body can naturally create scabs as part of the healing process. These aren’t a cause for concern and tend to go away on their own within a few days.
Some redness and raising of the skin can be quite normal after treatment if you have sensitive skin, and should subside within a day or two but may last up to a week.
Permanent makeup removal blisters are rare with LightSense®. However, if you do find you have one, resist the temptation to pop or pick it and do not cover the skin in clingfilm. The blister should go away on its own within a few days.
Some pinpoint bleeding during treatment is normal, particularly if your permanent makeup is particularly dense. As removal progresses, the intensity of the laser increases to work deeper into the skin. This is great for clearing ink, but can result in some bleeding.
If this happens, gently rinse the skin at home with cool water, followed by a thin layer of NAAMA’s Protect aftercare cream, Vaseline, or Aquaphor.
And we’re here to help if anything comes up
Send our team of experts an email and attach a photo. Our dermatologist is available to advise further if needed.
Supercharge your permanent makeup removal results
Health is wealth. Invest in it to see quicker and better removal results.
Drink plenty of water to help flush out the broken-down ink particles, support the body's natural healing processes, and promote cell turnover.
Exercise increases blood flow and circulation, helping to flush ink pigments out of the body through the bloodstream.
A healthy diet provides the body with the nutrients and minerals it needs to maintain an efficient lymphatic system; the essential component in clearing ink particles from the body.
We recommend 8 hours of sleep a night to keep your immune system healthy and running in tip-top shape.
Expertly formulated aftercare creams packed with plant botanicals and active ingredients to protect the skin, increase blood flow and improve healthy cell function between treatments.
The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and lymph nodes that helps to remove waste products and toxins from the body. Encourage and increase the clearance of ink particles with a lymphatic massage. If you ever needed an excuse for a massage, this is it.